New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-12
AMERIcAs CONSEQUENTIAL IN CUBA

A MAN WHOSE INTERESTS ARE WITH THE SPAN
IARDs-REspo' slBLE FOR PoUBrE's CASE
DR.. Ford of No. West Fourteenth-st., who was
for eleven years United States Consul in Cuba,
who was C)nsul-Geaersl in 1884 and who spent
spme time in Havana last year. speaks in strong
terms of the Injustice done Crilo Poube. the Amer-
can citizen pow Imprisoned in Havana under life
sentence for political o. inions expressed In the
United States. 10 ThIBUNE reporter who made
some inquiries on the subject yesterday. Or. Ford
made the following statement, though expressing his
reluctance speak OF matters which came before him
officially:
"Yes am familiar with the Pouble case. ana
think that he has been oUtra2eously treated by orr
Government, though think that you viii mad the
blame lies largely at the door OF Consui-GeEeral
Williams was called to Havana in 1884 TO act as
Consu-General pending the appointment Of ueneral
Badeaus successor. Pouble a naturalized
citizen OF the United States, having been resident
here tor many years. As to the regularity of his
papers, no question has beeo raised. lie came to
Havana TO purchase tobacco, having United State,
passport OF course. he came there openly, relying
on the projection of the United States
He was tor time the editor OF Spanish paper
here, and had expressed decided views 10 favor OF
Cuban independence; but whatever he did in fayorng
that cause confined to the expression OF opinions
in this country. He arrested in Havana tor what
he did in New-York. Mr.. Williams had just betoe
been appointed Cvn,ui-General, and there is where
the trouble came in. Mr.. Williams has been htly
called Spanish American Consul at Havana lie
went to fayana when only FIVE years old, married a
Cuban wife, and his interests and sympathles are
with the Spaniards He was appointed by President
Arthur at The request of merchants doing business Ia
Havana. whose connections bring them in contact
with the Spanlards. Ii supposed then that he
was q Republican bat when the present Admnlstra-
ton came INTO power he claimed 10 he q Democrat
and this seems TO secured his retention, as all
the 0tber Consuls in Cuba we're removed.
"The State Department has 40 doubt been quo ed
IN this matter BY Mr.. Nillisms's reports, anc these
are unquesiionably favorable TO the Spanish side.
When in Havana last year | was told OF many
cases where Mr. Williams had refused protection
to American citizens One, for instance, was that OF
Mr. Wilson, an American dentist, who went 10
Hs vana and established good business. In leyyng
taxes there the Government selects ha-dozen
traders a class who fix the amount 10 be levied on
each one in that class. Mr.. Wilson being an Ameri-
can, his Spanish competitors liked his tax at T9oo.
double that OF anybody else IN The same me Oh onsl-
ness, and many times greater than 5Ie average. hr;
Wilson protested against such Dissemination and
sought the interference OF he Consul uenerai' rs
refused to do anything, as his social interests wouii
not be served by such - course ME- "usoh was
finally compelled to put his property odt OF his hsnds
10 secure il from lie put il III the hands
OF an En- glishmau who sought the interference o. the
English Consul General He went at rnce ana lodged
a protest with the Spanish Government; ana kho"
posItively that the Government oihcer having the
matter IN charge admitted that nJustice mad D'en
done to MIR. Wilson. ~
81 could mention q number OF such cases. "hen
this Government Is represented at Havana by an
Americaa whose interests and sympathes are not
with the pauiards Americ an citizens may expect tue
protection to which they entitled but " bieh tbeY
arc not receiving now IN Cuba"